Monday, October 8, 2012

Emmy’s Birth Story

So I thought I would document Emmy’s entry into the world. Starting on Friday evening, I had a really bad back ache and had contractions on and off in my back throughout the weekend. On Monday, October 1st I was woken up with contractions. They were every 30 minutes to an hour. I decided to go into work, which was closer to the hospital than my house.

My contractions weren’t super consistent and would range between every 15 minutes to every 4-5 minutes. Contractions are so weird. While I had them, I was like I need to go to the hospital NOW. Then when they were over, I was like, “oh, I’m fine.” At the end of the day, I decided (after much coercing from my family and friends) to go to the hospital to get checked before going home.

I snapped this picture of my bump before I went. (I was 39 weeks.)

I got to the hospital and the nurse checked me and I was dilated to a five and a 100% effaced. This baby was coming sooner, rather than later!

I got checked in and got my epidural. My mom, sister, mother-in-law and Megan came up and I felt awesome after the epidural.

Ah, these were happy times.

At about 11:30 they checked me and I was dilated to a 9.5. They stopped the pitocin and everyone left except for Tommy. We all knew the baby and I would share a birthday at this point.

Also, at this point is when I started being able to feel my toes, which the nurse assured me was normal. I kept getting checked and by 2:30 there was still no progress, so they decided to turn back on the pitocin. I was able to feel pressure from the contractions, but still no pain. However, I could feel my legs at this point. (Can you see where this is going?)

I started pushing around 3 in the morning. And pushed, and pushed, and pushed. At about 4:00 I was getting to the point where I could push no more, so they brought in the doctor. And I continued to push, and push, and push, but now I could feel everything “down there.” Um, yeah. I would not recommend this to anyone. I thought I was going to DIE.

After pushing for 2 hours (and at this point telling everyone who would listen that there would never be another baby coming from me…and a few choice words), I told the doctor she was going to have to get this baby out and I didn’t care how. Unfortunately, we had to enlist the help of the “vaccuum,” but seriously, I was so exhausted and I thought I was GOING TO DIE.

After one more contraction and a little assistance sweet Emmy was born. I have to admit it was one of the best feelings in the world…physically. When they put her on me, they said they guessed she weighed 8 pounds. Honestly, how in the world could I have been carrying close to an 8 pound baby??? Prior to her being born we were all taking guesses on her size. The nurse and my mom thought she’d be at least a 7 pounder, but I was just sure she’d be around 6.5 pounds. I guess the nurse sees a lot more babies being born than I do.

Emmy had some stress getting out (she and I both), so she had to go special care for about an hour for them to regulate her breathing, but I was able to hold her before she went.

She was quite a birthday gift and is so precious! Still not sure if I can have another, though ; ).

And as any proud mama, here are some pictures my sweet friend Addie took of Emmy yesterday. I am in love!

Baby’s got some hair! :) And I never had heartburn once during pregnancy!

You are one tough momma! I just cannot even imagine going through that! I am positive this will give me even more anxiety for delivering #2 than I already have! :)Emmy just looks SO perfect! I cannot wait to meet her in person!

Okay lady, I'm calling you out. You lied about looking bad after delivery!! You look so pretty!! Especially after that! Haha. Glad you made it through all that. Yikes. She is so, so gorgeous. I can't get over her hair! I think she looks quite a bit like Finley, too.

Congratulations!!! I wasn't on the blog all weekend, so I had no idea she was here. She is just gorgeous, and I am in love with her hair. And seriously, how do you look so great while in a hospital bed and after having a baby? :) Keep these sweet photos coming. She is just perfect, and again a big congratulations to you! Yay!!!

Thanks for sharing the details of the birth story!! You know that I like all the details!! As I've said in every comment, text, email, and phone conversation since your and Emmy's birthday . . . both of you are gorgeous!!Love you, Aunt Angie

Oh, Katie I am just in tears reading this!! For several reasons, really: 1) Of, course she is just beautiful 2) the picture of the three of you is just pure bliss and 3) for the amazing job you did bringing her in to this world and 4) for your poor lady bits that will, no doubt, cringe at the thought of having another baby for a while.

Holy smokes!! Isn't there something like an epidural top off or something? Why did they not give you more drugs when you could start to feel your toes?? Heavens. I am all for a "natural" birth, but only if that's what you're aiming for! Way to go. You can do anything now! ;)And she is so so precious. I can't get over that hair. Just like Finley!

April told me your epidural stopped working at the crucial time. That so could have been me - mine stopped about an hour before push time but there was time for them to give me a stronger medication. So I really feel for you! I told Michael the other day I thought baby #2 wouldn't be nearly as easy. No one gets two good birthing stories! I guess it's good that we're not planning to have more after this one. :) Anyway, you did a great job & I can't believe how good you look in all your pictures. I need to step up my game in that area... Emmy is beautiful & I can't wait to squeeze her!

She is just precious, Katie! I need to convince Addie to come take some pics for me:), love that family pic...love them all! Sorry about the pain, I agree, worst pain EVER! I can't imagine pushing for that long in pain. Tough girl! I can't wait to get our girls together and meet sweet Emmy.

Oh, I had to come back to say that the pic of you holding Emmy for the first time is absolutely priceless. I love that you captured that moment. There is nothing like that feeling, and your pic is just perfect!

I love reading birth stories because they're just so honest and not like "Everything was perfect! It took half a second and I had no pain!" I mean.. not real life. I couldn't imagine the epidural wearing off! Eek! Emmy is so precious. I just can't get over it. She looks like she's smiling in so many photos you post! :) I'm just so overjoyed for you guys!

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